On the first weekend of March, the Bucs got up at 6a.m. and made the long drive to Sherman, Texas for a game against conference foe, Austin College.

Austin College had not been winning many games this year, but have been showing up to every game they had, even with a small roster, and playing the entire game as hard as they could. They should be commended for their organization and ability to play no matter what or where.

The Bucs knew with a win against the Kangaroos, they would secure a spot in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.Ê

The game started with the Austin College goalie making one save after another as the Bucs seemed to shoot the ball right at him.

One huge difference in this game over the others was that our "All-american" attackman Andrew Webb, was out with a dislocated elbow and torn ligaments. Irish, a strong middie who had been rotating in periodically at attack some this season so we had depth, filled in in his first career start and posted 7 points to go along with 7 more from Bryson and 5 more from Jones.

The starting defense of Cole, Fletch and Nelson, all spent most of the day cheering from the sideline as Lane, Fern, Walker and Swanson, guarded the goal with our new starting goalie of McDonough, who posted his second shutout of his career.

Jake and all the LSM's spent most of their day running on and off the field, seeing who could get on and off the fastest. My money was on Seth.

Line four came in and played most of the second half and was able to do very well, running our offense smoothly and getting many shots "close to goal". Nick had two that just missed, Titus did as well. Ben played very solid as well. Connor, playing on line 2 also notched his first career goal on a perfect bounce shot around the right side.

Newcomer Chase Pipken, who we expect will only get better with exposure, came in and controlled his face-offs and was able to get on the field for some quality time in his short time on the team.

The game ball went to Irish for stepping in at attack for the injured Webb and playing an amazing game.

This was a great game for all, with everyone on the roster getting a lot of playing time. It was topped off by a trip to "Tracks", a place in Sherman that had All you can Eat Hamburgers and fries for $5. While the Hot and Creamy Donuts" store was not open next door for Daulton and Titus(I'm sure glad i didn't have to go back in that van and hear them whine about it), everyone left AC feeling ready for the games against some great OOC competition in Rock Island a short 4 days away.